Showing posts with label C2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C2. Show all posts

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

USE IDIOMS AND "CLICHÉS"!


An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own.
cliché is a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought: “time heals all wounds” or “all is well that ends well” are quite recurrent in English.
Using clichés and idioms will help you expand your vocabulary and sound more native like.
You can find a list of clichés here, and a list of idioms here.

Image result for idiom and cliches

Saturday, 16 July 2016

SOME ESSENTIAL IDIOMS IN ENGLISH

The use and understanding of idioms is essential to successful communication in English. The student can study grammar and vocabulary, but without a working knowledge of such idioms, even the best student's speech will remain strange to a native speaker.


It's not a question of including an idiom in every sentence, but idioms are widely used in the English language. I'm sure you'll recognise some of these:





A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking what someone is thinking
Actions speak louder than words
People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.
Add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.
An arm and a leg
Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money.
At the drop of a hat
Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.
Back to the drawing board
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
Ball is in your court
It is up to you to make the next decision or step
Barking up the wrong tree
Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person
Be glad to see the back of (somebody)
Be happy when a person leaves.
Beat around the bush
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
Best of both worlds
Meaning: All the advantages.
Best thing since sliced bread
A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.
Bite off more than you can chew
To take on a task that is way to big.
Blessing in disguise
Something good that isn't recognized at first.
Burn the midnight oil
To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.
Can't judge a book by its cover
Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.
Caught between two stools
When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Costs an arm and a leg
This idiom is used when something is very expensive.
Cross that bridge when you come to it
Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
Cry over spilled milk
When you complain about a loss from the past.
Curiosity killed the cat
Being inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.
Cut corners
When something is done badly to save money.
Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched
This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for something that might not happen".

Don't give up the day job
You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.
Drastic times call for drastic measures
When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Far cry from
Very different from.
Feel a bit under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.
Give the benefit of the doubt
Believe someone's statement, without proof.
Hear it on the grapevine
This idiom means 'to hear rumours' about something or someone.
Hit the nail on the head
Do or say something exactly right
Hit the sack 
To go to bed.
In the heat of the moment
Overwhelmed by what is/was happening in the moment.
It takes two to tango
Actions or communications need more than one person
Jump on the bandwagon
Join a popular trend or activity.
Keep something at bay
Keep something away.
Kill two birds with one stone
This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time.
Last straw
The final problem in a series of problems.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning - do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications.

Let the cat out of the bag
To share information that was previously concealed
Miss the boat
This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance
Not a spark of decency
Meaning: No manners
Not playing with a full deck
Someone who lacks intelligence.
Off one's rocker
Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.
On the ball
When someone understands the situation well.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: It happens very rarely.
Picture paints a thousand words
A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
Piece of cake
A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.
Put wool over other people's eyes
This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.
See eye to eye
This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something.
Sitting on the fence
This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.
Speaking of the devil!
This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.
Steal someone's thunder
To do something that takes attention away from what someone else has done
Take (whatever they say) with a grain/pinch of salt
This means not to take what someone says too seriously.
Taste of your own medicine
Means that something that you have done to someone else also happens to you, or it is done to you, 

To hear something straight from the horse's mouth
To hear something from the source.
To go the whole nine yards
Everything. All of it.
Wouldn't be caught dead
Would never like to do something
Your guess is as good as mine
To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question

Thursday, 16 June 2016

POPULAR SAYINGS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH


Hoy en la cuenta de Instagram (@englisharound) he subido un "saying" muy conocido, y que de alguna manera está presente en diferentes idiomas: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" ("Una manzana al día del médico te libraría").





Pero lo habitual es encontrar refranes y dichos difíciles de traducir literalmente, así que conviene aprenderlos de memoria. Aquí hay unos cuántos:



1. Cuando hay hambre no hay pan duro- Beggars can’t be choosers.
2. Más vale prevenir que curar- A stich in time saves nine / Better safe than sorry
3. Borrón y cuenta nueva- Let bygones be bygones
4. Es la gota que colma el vaso- The straw that broke the camel’s back
5. No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo– Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched
6. Querer es poder– Where there’s a will, there’s a way
7. Nadie da duros a pesetas- There’s no such thing as a free lunch
8. No hay mal que por bien no venga– Every cloud has a silver lining
9. A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda– Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise / It’s the early bird that catches the worm
10. Quien no llora no mama– If you don’t ask you don’t get
11. La letra con sangre entra– No pain, no gain
12. No es oro todo lo que reluce– All that glitters is not gold
13. Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente– Out of sight, out of mind
14.  Vale más una imagen que mil palabras- A picture is worth a thousand words
15. Allá donde fueres haz lo que vieres- When in Rome, do as Romans
16. En la variedad está el gusto– Variety is the spice of life
17. Los ojos son el espejo del alma– Eyes are windows to the soul
18. Más vale tarde que nunca– Better late than never
19. Dios los cría y ellos se juntan – Birds of a feather flock together
20. Nunca digas de esta agua no beberé– Never say never

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

MATERIALES PARA IMPARTIR O APRENDER INGLÉS NIVEL C


Sunday, 27 September 2015

TALKING ABOUT CLOTHES AND FASHION IN A SPEAKING TEST

Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you enjoy buying clothes?
Pedro: I used to … yes … like most young people I was a bit of a slave to fashion and I’d always have to buy that must-have shirt or pair of shoes … I’m not so bothered now though … I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing something old fashioned but I’m not as bothered as I used to be about what I wear …
Examiner: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
Marco: I prefer casual clothes actually … I hate getting dressed up for special occasions … personally I think it’s possible to look good in a pair of jeans … but that’s my opinion … I don’t think my wife would call me a fashion icon that’s for sure …
Examiner: Are there many clothes shops where you live?
Sylvia: Yes … there are lots in my town … apart from the big chain stores we’ve got a couple of really nice shops that sell vintage clothes … old clothes but in a classic style that never really go out of fashion … I love going there 

Part 2-style task

Describe someone you know who dresses well. You should say
  • who they are
  • how you know them
  • what kind of clothes they wear
and say why you like the way they dress.
Tomoko:  I’d like to talk about one of my teachers … Miss Evans … she teaches us English in the school I go to … we always look forward to seeing what she’s going to wear when our lessons start … she’s always very well dressed and takes a lot of pride in her appearance … it’s not that she dresses in very smart clothes … she doesn’t come to school dressed to kill or anything like that … but what she wears really suits her … and she has a great sense of style as well … we often ask her where she gets some of her clothes and most of the time they’re just off the peg … and she says she’s not interested in designer labels or anything like that … she doesn’t seem too concerned about keeping up with the latest fashion … she just wears clothes that are timeless… yes … Miss Evans is the person I think looks great in the clothes she wears …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: What factors do you think affect the clothes we choose to wear?
Maki: It depends … where we are or where we’re going is a big factor … if you are going out to a club or party you’re going to dress for the occasion … and then there are those who think it’s important to look like they’re on trend … they’ll want to wear the latest fashions … there are lots of factors really …
Examiner: What kind of things determine what is in fashion and what we should be wearing?
Martin: I suppose the big fashion houses and fashion shows must have an effect but the clothes you see on the catwalk don’t always reflect what normal people wear … so I suppose it will be things like what singers are wearing in videos or models are wearing in magazines … that kind of thing …
Examiner: Is it possible to look good without spending lots of money on clothes?
Corinna: I’m sure it is … yes … I suppose it’s about having an eye for what looks good … knowing how to mix and match different items of clothing that go well together … I think you can pick up great bargains in charity shops … sometimes for youngsters even hand-me-downs can look good …

Definitions

  • to be on trend: to be very fashionable
  • casual clothes: not formal
  • classic style: a simple, traditional style that is always fashionable
  • designer label: a well-known company that makes (often expensive) clothing
  • dressed to kill: wearing clothes that attract admirers
  • to dress for the occasion: to wear clothes suitable for a particular event
  • fashionable: in fashion
  • fashion house: a company that sells (usually expensive) new styles in clothes
  • fashion icon: a person who is famous for their sense of fashion
  • fashion show: an event where modals show off the latest in fashion designs
  • to get dressed up: to put on nice clothes, often to go out somewhere special
  • to go out of fashion: to not be in fashion any more
  • hand-me-downs: clothes that are passed down from older brothers or sisters to their younger siblings
  • to have an eye for (fashion): to be a good judge of
  • to have a sense of style: the ability to wear clothes that look stylish
  • the height of fashion: very fashionable
  • to keep up with the latest fashion: to wear the latest fashions
  • to look good in: to wear something that suits you
  • to mix and match: to wear different styles or items of clothing that aren’t part of a set outfit
  • must-have: something that is highly fashionable and therefore in demand
  • off the peg: clothing that is ready made
  • old fashioned: not in fashion any more
  • on the catwalk: the stage that modals walk along to show off the latest fashions
  • a slave to fashion: someone who always feel the need to wear the latest fashions
  • smart clothes: the kind of clothes worn for a formal event
  • to suit someone: to look good on someone
  • to take pride in one’s appearance: to pay attention to how one looks
  • timeless: something that doesn’t go out of fashion
  • vintage clothes: clothes from an earlier period
  • well-dressed: to be dressed attractively
SOME IDIOMS CONNECTED TO THE TOPIC:
mutton dressed as lamb (level: advanced)
an older woman dresses in a way that is much more suitable for a younger girl
The actress was criticized by almost every fashion magazine, after she had put on an extremely short skirt at the opening night. The 60-year old woman looked like mutton dressed as lamb.
to fit like a glove (level: advanced)
to fit very well
Buy this blue T-shirt. It contains Lycra, so it will fit you like a glove.
to be in one’s birthday suit (level: advanced)
to be completely naked
He was arrested after he ran into the shop in his birthday suit, making all the customers feel very uncomfortable .
dressed to the nines/teeth (level: advanced)
dressed in stylish and expensive clothes
Everybody liked the elegant and stylish dress that she was wearing at the picnic. She was dressed to the nines, as usual.

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